ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

St. Paul voters will elect four people to the seven-member school board on Nov. 5. Board members represent the entire city and serve four-year terms.

Chauntyll Allen

Age: 45

Chauntyll Allen

What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m an educator, youth advocate, and community leader who unites people to achieve positive, transformative change in policy and community. I have 25 years of experience working with youth in schools and child protection. I’m an expert in addressing the impact of trauma, and creating safe spaces where people can learn, grow, and thrive.

What would your top priorities be if elected? Number 1 is ensuring that the board meets its fiduciary responsibilities. And, I’m committed to building a School to Success Pipeline by:

What do you think is the primary role of government? Government is created by the people it serves and creates laws and budgets based on values agreed to by the people. It must protect-and not harm-the people it serves. School Board members must represent all constituents: students, families, and educators, ensure that resources are used responsibly, and that youth are well-prepared for adulthood.

Charlie Castro

Age: 39

Charlie Castro

What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m an outsider and lifelong community educator. I believe that education is a fundamental right for everyone and the children, teachers and parents of our city are not being served in the best way possible.

What would your top priorities be if elected? Top priorities include children receiving the services they need to be successful in school. Second priority would be to create a collaborative and safe space for teachers to do their best work. Lastly, as a school board member we need to align our budgets to help the most amount of people.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to serve the people in the best way possible. We are to hold each other accountable for the decisions we make the affect our children, parents and teachers. The School Board is a nonpartisan seat for a reason, education should not be political.

Zuki Ellis

Age: 45

Zuki Ellis

What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m a SPPS parent & graduate, a National Home Visit Project trainer, a special education activist, and the Chair & former Vice Chair of the SPPS BoE. I’ve been focused on community centric governance, & as a collaborative leader worked with the board to hire a new superintendent, shift school start times, & pass the ‘18 school funding referendum.

What would your top priorities be if elected? Improve our wonderful Gender Inclusion Policy; work with our students on trans & non-binary inclusive sex-ed, consent ed, & comprehensive sex education; work with students & the superintendent on culturally relevant curriculumn; hire, train, & retain more teachers of color; and ensure all district employees a living wage.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to provide services to the residents that it serves and to do so while being responsible stewards of the taxpayer resources.

Tiffany Fearing

Age: 33

Tiffany Fearing

What qualifies you to hold this position? I went through the SPPS from K-12th grade and have a daughter on the path to do the same. I’m resourceful and creative; I find a way to make things happen. I’m a tax payer who is tired of the schools asking for a tax hike, then not knowing how to use it. I’m concerned about the facilities remodeling budget going over $179 million.

What would your top priorities be if elected? If elected I would recommend that we replace Tom Parent; from the harassment payout to the facilities remodeling budget over-run. I would like to see the graduation rate hit 80%. I want to see SPPS highlight schools they never seem to talk about. Along with making sure all students feel safe and welcome at school.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To oversee and carry out the laws; while listening to the people and looking at their needs.

Jessica Kopp

Age: 45

Jessica Kopp

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am familiar with district and board process, the strategic plan, and have direct experience organizing teams and community partnerships. I am the parent of a SPPS student, school-based advocate, and former teacher. I value and practice effective communication, relationship building, and organizing that is both strategic and compassionate.

What would your top priorities be if elected? To build a welcoming, accessible, and responsive district and board, develop effective, sustainable partnerships with our city, county, and communities, and support diversity and innovation in teaching and learning. I also hope to gain the trust of our learning communities by listening and responding with compassion and urgency.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The school board’s role is to provide effective governance for the school district. This happens when we first, actively and meaningfully engage with community and staff to shape the district’s vision and objectives and, second, align our budget to those objectives. We should be in service and accountable to the communities we represent.

Steve Marchese

Age: 52

Steve Marchese

What qualifies you to hold this position? Service on the school board since 2016, currently as Vice-Chair. Parent of current Central HS student and 2018 graduate of Central. Experience as involved parent and community member. Licensed attorney, currently working as Public Service Director of State Bar Association.

What would your top priorities be if elected? Holding the district accountable for implementing its strategic plan and addressing racial inequities in achievement & discipline. Stabilizing the district’s long-term financial health. Strengthening the district and Board’s connections with the community. Advocating for a restorative district culture that reflects our students and community.

What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe the primary role of government is to reflect the community’s will to provide every citizen the opportunity to live their life and achieve their goals in safety, with respect and concern for equity. Government creates opportunity for future generations through education and how it supports individuals and families in times of need.

Jennifer McPherson

Photo not available.

Age: 37

What qualifies you to hold this position? For the last 7 years I have had my input to the school district and stayed in contact about each issue, I am a former parent academy facilitator, I’m a very involved parent, I’m a former Sunday school teacher and assistant youth leader.

What would your top priorities be if elected?Special education
Equality/ bullying
School safety

What do you think is the primary role of government? To make sure that every American has the keys to success.

Elijah Norris-Holliday

The candidate stopped campaigning in August after a judge revoked his stay of adjudication on felony convictions, making him ineligible to run for office.

Omar Syed

Photo not available.

Age: 45

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a graduate of SPPS, a parent of a SPPS student, and a small business owner. I am also a community activist and came to this country as a refugee from Somalia. A large proportion of SPPS students are children of refugees. I understand the importance of public education for all our children, especially our communities of recent immigrants.

What would your top priorities be if elected? Top priorities include making sure we hire culturally competent teachers and staff so that we can address racial disparities in education. These disparities also affect discipline issues in our schools. We must make sure that all our families are welcome, and understand how to participate in their children’s education.

What do you think is the primary role of government? Government is meant to help us live together well and to assure that everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive in our society.

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